Municipal authorities in Kavala, northern Greece, have announced plans to exhume approximately 150 graves of individuals who died from COVID-19, after discovering that the bodies have failed to decompose five years after burial.
The unexpected complication stems from stringent pandemic-era health measures. To prevent the transmission of the virus, health protocols at the time mandated that remains be sealed in double plastic body bags and that coffins be tightly wrapped in plastic foil.
While these measures were highly effective at safeguarding public health, the unintended consequence was the creation of an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment. This seal effectively prevented oxygen and microorganisms from reaching the remains, halting the natural decay process that usually occurs within the soil.
A two-phase solution for COVID-19 victims
The Kavala municipal council has approved a sensitive, two-phase operation to resolve the situation, which officials emphasize will be conducted entirely free of charge to support grieving families:
Phase I: Careful exhumation of the remains and the removal of the protective plastic wrapping.
Phase II: The remains will be reburied for at least another year to allow natural decomposition to proceed, consistent with standard cemetery practices.
Authorities have stressed that the operation will adhere to strict sanitary protocols to protect both the workers and public health. This intervention has become an urgent necessity due to the chronic shortage of cemetery space in Kavala, which prevents the city from maintaining standard burial timelines.
National precedent
This case is expected to serve as a national precedent, potentially prompting the Greek Ministry of Health to issue standardized guidance for municipalities across the country. Officials have noted that the plan is designed to balance the logistical realities of cemetery management with the profound respect owed to the deceased and their families.
According to official data recorded throughout the pandemic, Greece reported approximately 40,232 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
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